Museum in the Kirms-Krackow House

The Kirms-Krackow House estate was developed from several plots of land. The front and rear buildings, connected by narrow side wings with pergolas, enclose a charming inner courtyard. From there, one enters the lovingly maintained garden with its Baroque garden pavilion. The museum galleries are situated in the front building. A historic townhouse flat has been recreated on the first floor, whilst temporary exhibitions are held on the ground floor.

Interior design in the Goethe era

With a construction history spanning over 400 years, the Kirms-Krackow House is one of the oldest surviving town houses in Weimar. The building complex offers a fascinating insight into its development from a 16th-century farmstead to a town house during the Classical period. The property also acquired particular significance in the 18th and 19th centuries as the residence of the Kirms family, who were officials in the ducal service; they held a prominent position in Weimar’s social life and associated with numerous leading figures from the worlds of art and scholarship.

The front building houses a small museum which, through its interior décor – some of which is original and some reconstructed – showcases the domestic culture of the upper middle classes in Goethe’s time.

Exhibitions

Permanent exhibition

On the first floor of the front building, there is a flat furnished in the Biedermeier style. The décor, furnishings and everyday objects provide an insight into the domestic culture of a middle-class household in the circle of the Weimar court. Numerous pictures depict the residents and people with whom they were on friendly terms, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Franz Liszt and members of the ducal family.

On display are, amongst other things, writing desks, a drawing-room suite and kitchenware from the early 19th century. The porcelain and silver tableware in the drawing-room cupboard illustrate the upper middle class’s desire to present a prestigious image.

Special exhibitions

Alongside the permanent exhibition on interior design, small temporary exhibitions explore a variety of themes, such as those relating to the history of the house. This year:

Guided tours

Behind the Scenes – Court Councillor Kirms and the Weimar Court Theatre

every Sunday at 11 am

Pure historical delight: an informative and entertaining guided tour of the house, courtyard and gardens through this historic complex. A special feature: the tour includes a visit to rooms not normally open to the public, as well as fascinating insights into Weimar’s theatre scene during Goethe’s time. Ticket: €5.50 (at the museum ticket office)

I’m off to the garden… A costumed journey back to the 1820s

every Friday at 4 pm

Pure gardening delight: a costumed tour of the garden and house, taking in a Weimar gem of Biedermeier domestic and garden culture. Special feature: History presented in an entertaining, dramatised tour with references to the culture of garden and house plants around 1820. Ticket: €5.50 (at the museum ticket office)

Tip: Tickets for public guided tours and bookings for group tours (including those outside museum opening hours) are available from Café Lieblingsgarten, Weimar Tourist Information or the museum administration.

Well worth seeing